The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 22
“Now, we have one last test to conduct. It’s not complicated…”
The final test was for her mental health. After all, the baby would inherit traits from both the Marquis and the mother, so any history of mental illness would be a significant concern.
The test took about 40 minutes. The results indicated that she was healthy, aside from some mild depressive symptoms.
“It’s not severe enough to develop into depression, but try to maintain a positive outlook. It’s beneficial for both the mother and the baby.”
“……”
Though she hadn’t even signed the contract yet, it felt strange to receive advice assuming she would be the chosen one.
Johanna nodded, hiding her mixed feelings. After all, it wasn’t bad advice.
When she stepped out of the examination room, Victoria was waiting in the hallway. Exchanging glances with her, Johanna followed the footman to another location.
The destination was the reception room where she had first met the Marquis. The footman knocked on the door twice, and a brief command came from inside, “Let her in.”
The door opened, and after exchanging a look with Victoria, Johanna stepped inside. Victoria stayed behind in the hallway.
Feeling nervous, Johanna scanned the room. Leonid Neubitz was not sitting on the central sofa but in an armchair by the window, with a pipe in his mouth.
“Came, did you?”
Without even looking back at her, he asked. Johanna politely answered yes, and as she secretly glanced at him, she followed his gaze.
There was nothing outside the window, just the wide expanse of the garden’s green landscape. She looked back at him. Finally, Leonid turned to look at her, exhaling cigarette smoke as he lazily stood up. The smile slanted on his lips was languid.
“I saw the test results. They were fine. As expected, my intuition was correct.”
His tone was almost appraising. He was smiling, but his eyes were endlessly cold.
It was understandable. He despised omegas. He was merely using her to produce an heir.
“Let’s sign the contract immediately. I’m in a hurry. I want to get this bothersome task over with quickly.”
Johanna widened her eyes in surprise at the unexpectedly rapid progression of events.
Even though she had made up her mind, she hadn’t expected to sign the contract so soon. A sudden urge to flee welled up inside her.
“The contract is over there. On the table. Can you see it?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Do you need a lawyer? Should I call one for you?”
“No…”
“Read it and sign it. …No, wait a moment.”
She picked up the contract and was about to read it when he approached her briskly. Johanna, instinctively tensing up, stood awkwardly between the sofa and the table, blinking in surprise.
The distance between them closed in an instant, leaving only a hand’s breadth between them. Johanna felt her heart drop and took a sharp breath.
As she remained frozen, he observed her closely and commanded in a dry voice.
“Release your pheromones.”
“Pardon…?”
“The test results indicate good pheromone compatibility, but I need to experience it firsthand.”
Her heart pounded wildly, resonating in her chest like a drum, making it hard to think clearly. Johanna stood rigid, clenching her jaw. Her fists tightened involuntarily.
“Why are you holding your breath? Breathe.”
She finally exhaled the breath she had been holding. Her long, shaky exhale sounded like a trembling string on a musical instrument.
“Release your pheromones. Should I go first?”
“Ah, no…”
In that moment, she was struck with fear. This was not just anyone’s pheromones, but those of her idol. There was no guarantee she wouldn’t lose control, given her lingering feelings for him.
Moreover, this was the reception room. She didn’t want to make a spectacle of herself in such a place. He was an alpha who despised omegas. It was clear how he would perceive an omega stumbling under the influence of an alpha’s pheromones.
“Wait, I’m not ready…”
“We don’t have time. What kind of preparation do you need just to release pheromones? It’s not like I’m asking you to strip and roll around here.”
However, he seemed to have no intention of accommodating her. His face showed only impatience and a desire to get this over with quickly.
Johanna hesitated and then collapsed onto the sofa. A looming shadow swallowed her up. Even as she trembled pitifully like a wet puppy, looking up at him, he didn’t back off. He tilted his head, looking down at her, one hand on the back of the sofa, one knee bent, resting a leg on the sofa.
Leaning over in that position, he gazed at her with a blank, indifferent expression. Johanna clutched her hands tightly over her chest.
As if mocking her fear, he let out a soft, deflating sound and slowly released his pheromones.
